decisive condition　増上縁 The power of Amida’s Primal Vow as the single cause bringing about the attainment of enlightenment. The term is commonly used in Buddhism and occurs prominently in the works of Shan-tao. In Buddhism generally, it is one of four kinds of causal conditions that contribute to the emergence of a thing. In this analysis, which appears in early Buddhism and remains important in both Mahayana and Hinayana thought, it denotes the secondary causes which assist the principal or direct cause. This meaning is carried over in Shan-tao, who uses the term to supplementary aid in the attainment of birth. Shinran, however, in his thoroughgoing emphasis on Other Power as the sole cause of birth, understands it as standing alone, not in relation in any other possible cause. Since the attainment of Buddhahood by sentient beings comes about entirely through the power of Amida’s Vow, one does not need to depend on other Buddhas, and one’s own power to attain enlightenment is wholly inadequate. Thus Shinran uses ‘decisive condition’ for the incomparable working of Amida.